EU Ambassador believes Duterte can bring Philippines to the top
Exclusive Interview from THEPHILBIZNEWS by Monsi A. Serrano
Despite the challenges that the Philippines has been facing from rice crisis, inflation, unabated skyrocketing price of petroleum products for 9th consecutive weeks, drug problems and political unrest, His Excellency Franz Jessen, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines and Head of Delegates is confident that the Philippines under the tutelage of President Rodrigo Duterte will overcome these and be able to make our country one of the most admired and robust country.
In the exclusive interview of THEPHILBIZNEWS, Ambassador Jessen pointed out several things that the Philippines need to improve in order to entice investors is to improve the local government system especially in terms of stopping corruption. That is the reason why the European Union and European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines support the Local Government Integrity Circles (LoGIC) Network Program during the Regional Business Opportunities Summit at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati last October 19.
Ambassador Jessen also pointed out that the primary purpose of LoGIC is to contribute to a culture of integrity in the Local Government Units all over the Philippines based on the results of and lessons learned from the European Union (EU) co-funded Project for Integrity and Jobs (Project I4J) that established 60 Integrity Circles across the Philippines.
There were several things that the EU Ambassador commended as far as what Duterte is doing and these are on the following aspects: Corruption, Criminality and Pro-Poor Agenda. On the economic area, Ambassador Jessen sees the need for the EU and the Philippines to sit down together and establish clear objectives and also prepare for the years to come in strengthening the economic agenda that would benefit both EU and Philippines.
On a personal observation, His Excellency Jessen shared that based on his experience in the Philippines since he first time came here in 1995, the Philippines has gone that far already. In terms of the Filipino people, he is a witness to the capabilities, competencies and efficiencies of the Filipino people and this he believes will remain our best asset in the midst of globalization.
The EU Ambassador is also very keen that a lot of investment from EU will move to the Philippines not just in Metro Manila, but also in Cebu, Davao and key provincial cities.
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